The efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological therapies for the treatment of acne vulgaris

Authors Femke de Vries, Audrey Meulendijks, Rieke Driessen, Ad van Dooren, Esther Tjin, Peter van de Kerkhof
Published in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Publication date 2018
Research groups Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology
Type Article

Summary

Background: Acne vulgaris is a multifaceted skin disorder, affecting more than 85% of young individuals worldwide. Pharmacological therapy is not always desirable because of the development of antibiotic resistance or the potential risk of adverse effects. Non‐pharmacological therapies can be viable alternatives for conventional therapies. However, sufficient evidence‐based support in the efficacy and safety of non‐pharmacological therapies is lacking. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of several non‐pharmacological therapies in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Methods: A systematic literature review, including a best‐evidence synthesis, was performed to identify literature. Three electronic databases were accessed and searched for studies published between January 2000 and May 2017. Results: Thirty‐three eligible studies were included in our systematic review. Three main types of non‐pharmacological therapies were identified laser‐ and light‐based therapies, chemical peels and fractional microneedling radiofrequency. The majority of the included studies demonstrated a significant reduction in acne lesions. However, only seven studies had a high methodologic quality. Based on these seven trials, a best‐evidence synthesis was conducted. Strong evidence was found for glycolic acid (10–40%). Moderate evidence was found for amino fruit acid (20–60%), intense pulsed light (400–700 and 870–1200 nm) and the diode laser (1450 nm). Initially, conflicting evidence was found for pulsed dye laser (585–595 nm). The most frequently reported side‐effects for non‐pharmacological therapies included erythema, tolerable pain, purpura, oedema and a few cases of hyperpigmentation, which were in most cases mild and transient. Conclusion: Circumstantial evidence was found for non‐pharmacological therapies in the treatment of acne vulgaris. However, the lack of high methodological quality among included studies prevented us to draw clear conclusions, regarding a stepwise approach. Nevertheless, our systematic review including a best‐evidence synthesis did create order and structure in resulting outcomes in which a first step towards future research is generated.

On this publication contributed

  • Femke de Vries| Researcher | Research group Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology
    Femke de Vries
    • Researcher
    • Research group: Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology
  • Esther Tjin | Researcher | Research group Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology
    Esther Tjin
    • Researcher
    • Research group: Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology

Language English
Published in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Key words acne vulgaris, pharmacology, treatment
Page range 1195-1203

Femke de Vries

Femke de Vries| Researcher | Research group Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology

Femke de Vries

  • Researcher
  • Research group: Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology